Local gardeners choosing native plants

Allan Redfearn of Redfearn's Nursery, Inc. in Cedar Point, looks over a Carolina jasmine, one of many native plants at the nursery Sept. 20.

John Althouse / The Daily News

By MATTHEW ADKINS Daily News Staff

Published: Monday, September 23, 2013 at 12:01 PM.

A thick carpet of ornamental switchgrass encircles the hairy leaves of elephant’s feet flowers as butterflies enjoy the unique colorations of spotted beebalm petals. The picture feels exotic, but every plant in hobby gardener Patricia Hutson’s yard in Cape Carteret is native to North Carolina.

“I’ve seen all types of bugs and birds in my garden over the years,” Hutson said. “There is always a feeling of life and energy when I walk through here. It’s so peaceful and relaxing.”

Hutson is a member of a growing movement across the state dedicated to cultivating lawns using only native plants. Proponents of the philosophy hope to encourage a healthy ecosystem free from damaging invasive species by using trees, grasses and flowers found naturally in the state.

According to Hutson, native plants are easy to grow and maintain because they are uniquely adapted to the area’s specific physical and biological factors. Because the vegetation evolved in the heat and humidity of the coastal climate, they require less water, fertilizer and general upkeep than their non-native counterparts. They also provide ideal habitats and food sources for local wildlife, such as tiger swallowtail butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds.

“Over time, these plants have adapted to perfectly fit into our environment,” she said. “They thrive in this kind of dirt, this kind of rain. It doesn’t take much to get them going, just a little bit of sun, soil and water.”

Landscaping using only native plants is not a new idea, but the movement has been slow to take off. One of the reasons may be because North Carolina’s endemic vegetation has historically been difficult to locate in nurseries. However, a few local businesses are beginning to see a larger demand for local species.

A thick carpet of ornamental switchgrass encircles the hairy leaves of elephant’s feet flowers as butterflies enjoy the unique colorations of spotted beebalm petals. The picture feels exotic, but every plant in hobby gardener Patricia Hutson’s yard in Cape Carteret is native to North Carolina.

“I’ve seen all types of bugs and birds in my garden over the years,” Hutson said. “There is always a feeling of life and energy when I walk through here. It’s so peaceful and relaxing.”

Hutson is a member of a growing movement across the state dedicated to cultivating lawns using only native plants. Proponents of the philosophy hope to encourage a healthy ecosystem free from damaging invasive species by using trees, grasses and flowers found naturally in the state.

According to Hutson, native plants are easy to grow and maintain because they are uniquely adapted to the area’s specific physical and biological factors. Because the vegetation evolved in the heat and humidity of the coastal climate, they require less water, fertilizer and general upkeep than their non-native counterparts. They also provide ideal habitats and food sources for local wildlife, such as tiger swallowtail butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds.

“Over time, these plants have adapted to perfectly fit into our environment,” she said. “They thrive in this kind of dirt, this kind of rain. It doesn’t take much to get them going, just a little bit of sun, soil and water.”

Landscaping using only native plants is not a new idea, but the movement has been slow to take off. One of the reasons may be because North Carolina’s endemic vegetation has historically been difficult to locate in nurseries. However, a few local businesses are beginning to see a larger demand for local species.

“Some of our most popular native species right now are live oak trees and wax myrtle shrubs,” said Patrick Gugger, horticulturist at Redfearn’s Nursery in Cedar Point.

“People just like the way they look. They also know that these plants are more adapted to the environment, which makes them easier to take care of.”

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recently showed their support for the state’s native plants by releasing a 27-page guide detailing 32 species in the coastal plain. Each listing features a picture of the plant and information on light and soil moisture requirements, blooming dates and salt tolerances, among other things.

The booklet was distributed to beach towns and garden clubs over the summer. Dale Suiter, a biologist with the foundation, said the slim guide could be used encourage homeowners to select native plants for landscaping and gardening during their next visit to a nursery.

“We can encourage folks to use natives,” he said. “The plants have been here for thousands of years, and the wildlife has evolved with them. They’re the species that should be there to support the native wildlife.”

To receive a copy a brochure about landscaping with native plants by mail, email Dale Suiter at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at DaleSuiter@fws.gov. To download a digital copy, visit fws.gov/raleigh/pdfs/NativePlantsCoastalNC.

Kate Elizabeth Queram of the Wilmington StarNews contributed to this story.